I received my mudflaps yesterday. I'm very impressed by how quickly they got them to me. I have not yet installed them, so I am not going to comment on the install at all or on how well they will hold up. I can say that the one thing I definitely agree with UFO on is that the screws should really be black. My plan is to take a sharpie to them, but I really shouldnt have to do that. The flaps them self are nice and thick. I suppose they probably were cut by an saw of some sort, but I dont think it looks bad. If it bothers you so much, i suppose someone could sand down the edges, bbut thats not worth it if you ask me.

All I can say is I was pretty happy with the flaps when I saw them yesterday. Everything was packaged very neat, the flaps seem to be of sound construction, all the pieces were there, and they even threw in 2 stickers.

I'm gonna install them probably next week, but here is a pic of everything that came in the package.

 

I haven't had the whole panel off, but the smaller oil panel screws into metal clips that are attached to the plastic. That is typically how it's done. Actually screwing into plastic is not very common because it's so easy to strip.

KGHtheII: Thanks for the pics, those look great. The screws do look a little out of place. They should have made caps or something, they're very visible. What are those square pieces between the washers and the adhesive strips? Are those the plastic things we need to screw into?

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyurethane

Important part: hard solid plastics used as electronic instrument bezels and structural parts.

So, lets drop the Urethane vs Plastic argument and get back to the concerns on fitment, functionality, price, and product

Edit: had't gotten to the 3rd page with pics yet. The L Brackets there look metal, I could be wrong, but that's how they look. And the "Squares" I would venture to say are the nuts for the screws? Can't really tell as they are kinda fuzzy in the picture, probably more so to do with the size though, I think my eyes are going bad

On a side note, I think I would prefer these without a "gloss" style finish, and without the translucency I see on the red ones on the second page. So in otherwords, an Opaque, Flat finish, and possibly stiff rubber compound, instead of the Translucent, Shiny, Stiff Plastic compound we see here. That's just my 2 cents.

Also, to Robevo, Urethane is pretty cheap in the grand scheme of things, especially when compared to rubber, metals, and other products that you would normally find mudflaps made out of.

 

Those arent adhesive strips, they are 2 stickers that came in the packaging. The square pieces are called "polygon clips." they have u put them on where the fender well is affixed to the car. Kinda hard to explain, so ill just show you. Here is the instructions from RallyArmor: http://www.rallyarmor.com/store/evo_...structions.pdf

And yes, the brackets and screws are metal, the rest is plastic. Except the Urethane flaps

 

Oh, OK. The installation instructions make it pretty clear what they are. Are those polygon clips metal? They are what is being screwed into.

Sorry for all the questions, I just don't want to order and then be disappointed in their mounting choices.

 

They are plastic and unthreaded. As the screws screw into them, they will get threaded and hold the screws tight. Im pretty sure they go onto metal pieces on the car to add extra support.

 

I have had my concerns with RallyArmor in the past, even to the point where they drug their feet so long getting the '08 STI flaps ready that I set up a company to produce mudflaps. However, I can tell you for certainty that good polyurethane is roughly 12 times more expensive than sheet rubber. The cast polyurethane process that I was using is more expensive than the version that RA uses (and a lot nicer, but I digress), but for the amount of PU in the flaps they are priced with fairly tight profit margins.

 

No, all the plastic tabs attach to plastic, except for the 4 L brackets supplied which are metal, but you're still screwing into plastic.

Rally Armor actually phoned me today and ganged up on me . They explained their reasoning for using plastic tabs (mainly corrosion) and, while I respect their knowledge, I'm just not comfortable with the durability or the sturdiness of them. My 'snug' is different than most and I'm scared of stripping them. I'm a little more inclined to install them but still haven't made up my mind 100% what I'm going to do. Really don't want to use the Mitsubishi ones....

 

I am talking about a thick, stiff, molded rubber. Rubber sheet (common on semi trucks) is not the type of flaps I am talking about. the rubber I am talking about is definitely more expensive than Polyurethane. I guess the type of rubber I would be talking about is more like car tire rubber, or perhaps rubber you'd find on the bottom of some thicker soled dress shoes...

 

I just installed these yesterday. I got the black with grey logo. The install was very easy. Even though you screw into plastic its very durable. I had fun acting like a kid just kicking them watching them flap back and forth. Just the bottom part moved which is supposed to. The top is solid. I agree the screws should be black but who cares. Ill probably go to ac moore later and get some black paint. Overall I like the look and glad I put them on.

 

Mitsubishi used very similar (stainless steel?) metal clips all over the underside of the car, so corrosion sounds like an excuse rather than a feature. You're already paying $140 for mud flaps. I would have paid a few dollars more for better quality mounting hardware (metal clips, some solution for covering the silver screws). For example, the parts in pictures M and N of the instruction manual look particularly susceptible to breakage, in my opinion. Here they take a plastic to plastic mounting point previously secured by a plastic push-in fastener, and attach a metal L bracket using a metal screw and a plastic clip. It's not difficult to determine which of those three new parts is most likely to fail.

I know they sell all kinds of automotive fasteners at Lowes because I used some for the temporary splash guards I threw together. I may head over there today to see if I can come up with something.

 

Hmm, I found another mudflaps, if somebody interested.
Made a same material as the Rallyarmor. The Ralliart makes them. Looks like the same screws and looks very similar.
So you can go that way too, if you dont like the Rallyarmor .

And cost only around $500 + . And no black screws either , and boy talking about big metal silver mounting hardware wich is bothers the eye for some...


http://www.rhdjapan.com/jdm-low/Rall...lution-X-54203

 

well little hint for you. The metal screw is there because those are the parts you will regularly loosing and tightening due to oil change. So the plastic will ware out a lot faster.
But how many times you will take it off and put back the same mud flaps?
I'm sure those who designed and did successfully the past couple years, they know what they are doing and why.
They make mudflaps for all kinds of cars, their mudflaps are tested all around a world and the company is growing. Why?
Certainly not because they don't know what they are doing.
Something might look funny for you, but there is a reason why its made like that.
It was tested countless times before it come out as a final product.
Some mud flaps even requires to take the wheels off...

 

It's true, though even in places used less frequently I'm not used to seeing metal screwed into plastic on cars. I'm new to Mitsubishis, but I've had at least a few Hondas completely disassembled and can't say I've ever once seen a metal screw in a plastic fastener.

Now, I'm certain given their reputation that Rally Armor knows what they're doing, it just bothers me a bit. If I can easily switch to metal hardware/black screws (or caps) I will, otherwise I'll probably just order and use as-is. I need something permanent before winter. The $5 special devised here isn't going to cut it

 

The mudflaps from RallyArmor are def. worth it IMO. They really bring out the true rally heritage in the car, make it look very agressive, and protect the sides of your car from rock chips and debris.

When others make fun of your mudflaps - you can make fun of their rock chips. Besides you can just take them off anytime you want

Pics of them on my 06 TB IX: